Industrial truck



Feb. 2, 1932. E. H. REMDE 1,843,736

INDUSTRIAL TRUCK Filed Sept. so, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 7 5 6' wfia 45 J3 43 46 v /7 I.\'I 'EXTQR.

.-I ITORXEY.

Feb. 2, 1932. REMDE 1,843,736

INDUSTRIAL TRUCK Filed Sept. 30, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 T 1| li I NV EN TOR.

A TTORNEY.

Fatented Feh. 2, i932 nnvvaan n. as, or CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOB ro rms nn-nennane coir- ?ANY, 0F QLEVELAND, OHIO, A COREQBATION GE OHIG mnnsrazrat. races Application filed September 80, 13263. Serial Ito. ldtfilltl.

This invention relates to an industrial truck capable of lifting or elevating loads and transporting them from one place to another and tiering them.

ln the illustrated form of construction I raising and lowering means for the elevating member for gripping the load thereon during its raising and lowering movements.

Other ob'ects of the invention will be apparent to t ose skilled in the art to which this invention relates from the following de scription, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein I Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a truck embodying my invention.'

Fig. 2 is a top lan view.-

Fig. 3 is an en View.

Fig. 4c is a fragmentary view showing the load elevated and biased into its transporting position.

Fig- 5 is a fragmentary section on the line 55 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a section on the line 7-4? of Fig. 5.

In the drawings, 1 indicates a frame mounted on wheels 2, 8, there preferably being two wheels near each end of the frame 1. The form of elevating mechanism chosen for illustration comprises a guide frame 4; and an elevating and load carrying member 5 slidably mounted thereon, and the guide frame a is preferably arranged intermediate the ends of the frame 1. in this arrangement it is also preferable to construct the frame 1 with a relatively low section 111, whereby the guide frame 4 may be extended to a point near the floor and the elevating and carrying section 6 of the member 5 may be moved into close relation to the floor (see Fig. l.) and disposed below loads when-supported on standardized skids or other devices. The frame section 1a comprises a pair of channelshaving their outer ortions bentinward- 1y so as to lie between t e wheels 3. The inner ends of the channels are rigidly connected to a air of longitudinal bars of the main frame l by drop plates 7. The guide frame d ma comprise a pair of l-beams, each secure at and along its lower portion to the adjacent plate '2 and channel let, for which purposes the flanges on'the inner side of the beam are cut away. The main section lb of the frame 1 includes a pair of uprights l0 formed from angle bars, the lower ends of which support brackets 8, one being shown in Fig. 1. The brackets 8 support a platform 9 on which the operative stands and a brake pedal 10 for operating a brake mech anism 11 to which reference will later he made. The upper ends of the uprights 1c are connected by tie bars 12 to the upper end of the guide frame 4- to brace the latter.

13 indicates a source of power supply, that shown comprising electric batteries supper: ed on the frame section 1?), and enclosed in a casing 14. 15 indicates an electric motor connected through a suitable power trans mittmg mechanism with driven axle sections suitably connected with the wheels 2 to drive them. The motor 15 is supported in and connected to a cradle 16 which is rigidly connected to a housin 17 (the cradle and housing may be formeintegrally) for the power transmitting mechanism which is connected to driven axle sections for the wheels 2. The cradle 16 and housing 17 are preferably connected to the frame section 15 by a suspension mechanism (certain elements thereof bein shown at 170., 1'16), which forms the sub ect-matter of an applicationfiled by John H. Hertner, of Cleveland, Ohio, and myself, jointly (see Letters Patent No. 1,628,145). For that reason no claim is made herein to this subject-matter. The wheels 2 are preferably connected by suitable knuckles on arms 2a extending from the ends of the axle housing 1? and the spindles for the wheels 2 are connected in a well known man nor for steering, for which purpose a steering device 18 is connected to the upper portion of a column 19 (see Fig. 3) and the latter in turn is connected through suitable operating connections (not shown) with one of the wheels 2. The brake mechanism 11 comprises suitable elements arranged to engage a wheel connected to the propeller shaft that is driven by the shaft of the motor and these elements are connected throu h a linka e 20 with the pedal 10, a spring act shown be ing arranged and connected with the frame section 16 and linkage so that the latter will cause the braking elements to normally on gage the brake wheel and hold the pedal 10 up, as shown in Fi l; accordingly, operation of the pedal downwardly will release the braking elements.

21 indicates a controller for the motor 15. The drum of the controller is geared to a shaft 22 carrying an arm 23, which is connected by a link 23a to an operating lever 24. 25 indicates a casing enclosing an automatic switch mechanism connected with the linkage 20, and so arranged that the circuit to the motor 15 will be closed when the pedal 10 is operated downwardly and opened when the pedal is released-that is, the brake elements 7 are applied to the brake wheel.

The elevating member 5 preferably comrises a pair of spaced lates 5a connected y a horizontal member such as a plate) 26 and also by a vertical member 2? and each of these members may be secured to the plates 5a by suitable angles 28. The load carrying section 6 may consists of a plurality of l..-

shaped arms 60: having horizontal and vertical portions and the latter are preferably pivoted loosely on a shaft or rod 29, whereby the arms 6a may be swung to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, when it is desired to connect a trailer to the frame sectian 1a or shorten theefiective length of the truck. The opposite ends of the shaft 29 are removably mounted in openings formed in the plates 5a and in hollow bosses 29a aligned with the openings and suitably secured to the inner faces of the plates 5a. By removing the shaft 29, the load carrying section 6 may be removed and another one substituted according to the particular load to be handled.

30, 31, indicate pairs of rollers arranged to engage the opposite outer faces of the flanges 4a on the T-beams 4, whereby the elevating member 5 is slidably supported by and upon the guide beams 4; this arrangement also permits the elevating member 5 to move relative to the guides 4, that is, its lower portion to swing outwardly and upwardly substantially about the points of contact between the rollers 31 and guides 4 in the manner to be later set forth to bias the load carrying section 6 to the position shown in Fig. 4. The

lates 5a are disposed on the outer sides of ut in relatively close relation to the I-beams weaves 4; this arrangement providing ample room for a load gripping mechanism indicated as an entirety at 34 and preventing displace- '56 of suitable material which engage the free edges of the flanges 4a when the plates 5a move relative thereto. The rollers 30, 31, may be flanged to insure their proper rolling on the uides, The rollers 30 are loosely mounte on stud shafts 30a supported by reinforcing plates 32 on the inner faces of the plates 5a, while the rollers 31 are loosely mounted on a shaft 31a, supported at its opposite ends in aligned openings formed in the lates 5a and 32.

T e raising and lowering means may be of any desired construction, but preferably comprises one or more flexible members, such as wire cables .operatively connected with the elevating member 5 so that by the winding of the cables on a drum or drums, the elevating member is raised or lowered, In the illustrated form of construction, ll provide twodrums 35, 35a, for two cables 36, 36a. The drums 35, 35a, are driven by a suitable power transmitting mechanism within a housing 37 and such mechanism receives its ower from an electric motor 38 operated rom the batteries 13 and controlled by a suitablecontroller 39. The cables 36,3611, are arranged to operate in the following manner: From the drum the cable 36 leads to and around a sheave 40 loosely mounted-on a shaft 41 supported at its ends in bosses 410; secured to the upper ends of the guides 4 and aligned openings formed in the latter; from the sheave 40, the cable 36 extends to and around a sheave 42, supported on the elevating member 5 in the manner to be later set forth, and from this latter sheave the cable extends to and around a sheave 40a also loosely mounted on the shaft 41, its free end bein connected witha take-up'mechanism 43, the purpose of which is to take up any slack that may occur in the cables 36, 36a, particularly where the elevating member 5 engages an obstruction in its downward movement. The cable'36a extends from the drum 35a to and around a sheave 44 loosely mounted on the shaft 41, then to and around a sheave 42a (mounted similarl to the sheave 42) and then to and aroun a sheave 44a also mounted on the shaft 41, its free end being connected to the take-up mechanism 43.

The take-up mechanism 43 comprises a plate 45 mounted to slide in a guide 46. The

the plate 45 (which is relatively heavy) is free to gravitate, thereb taking up the slack and preventing the cab es from disengaging ereroteted to either wind the cables thereon to edect rcising of the elevating member 5 to eny desired-height for trons orting e load or for elevating or for tiering code, or pay grant the cables to lower the elevating mem- I provide means for biesing the load so that the carrying section d may serve as a cradle during and while the truck is bein driven to transport a load to its place 0 dischsr c. When the load comprises sheet moterie such biasing tends to maintain them in stacked or bundled relation due to vibrations resulting from movement of the truck. In the present form of construction the biasing movement is efiected by causing the elevating member 5 to swing about the vever, the devices 47, in the point of engagement between the rollers 31 and l-beams e: to the position. shown in Fig. 4!- For efi'ecting this biasing movement, I provide on the outer flange so of each I-beem l o projecting device 47 over or upon which the adjacent roller 30 must run when the elevotin member 5 is operated. The devices 47 may be arranged near the upper portion oi the dos d or ct any position between the ends of travel or the rollers 30. Howreferred arrcngement ere dis sod e s ort distance shove the extreme ower position to which the rollers 30 may be moved, so that when the elevatinw member 5 is biased or inclined,

-. (1') the load will be in the lowest position possible duringits transportation to thereby Insure is relatively low center of avity and (2) the devices 47 willnot a act the loading and unloading of loads mounted on skids or other supporting devices on the floor or on elevated supports. Where the loads to be handled are stacked one on the other, the devices 47 are arranged intermediate the icing or unloading positions of the elevoting member for two adjoining loads preferably intermediate the loading and unloading positions for the load that rests on the door and the load next above. Each device ii is in efiect e corn comprising a. well hav ing reversely inclined contiguous surfaces in line with end iormin continuetions of the ll-beem dongs do on their opposite ends so that t e roller 30 may run up one incline and down the other in n ready msnner. The biasing devices are orrenged in elignrnent with each other so that both rollers 36 engage therewith simultaneonsly. As will be understood, the loads may be piclredn is positions with the rollers 30- below or above the devices 47. After the load is picked up, the elevating member is moved upwardly or downwardl as the case may be, to run the rollers up t 9 adjacent inclines tov a position adjacent the apex formed at mcr e therewith at when the elevating member their inner ends, and thus position the load as shown in Fig. 4. lhe elevetin member 5 is held in this position, which may termed the transporting osition, while the truck is beinq driven to toe unloading point, whereupon the elevating means is operated to move the elevating member in the some direction or in the reverse direction to the desired nnloeding position which movement first permits the elevating member to assume its horizontal position.

The load gripping mechanism 34: is prelerably inter-connected with the raising and lowering means in such meer thet the pull or tension on the cables 36, 36c, serves to opcrate this mechanism, whereby its resser or load on aging member is actuated into gripping re etion with the load and maintained in such relation so long as the raising end lowering means is operatin to raise or low-- or the elevating member; nt upon the'release of the pull or tension of the cables, such member will automaticallydisengage the load.

Of the load gripping mechanism 34, d8 indicetes a frame trunnion oh :1 shcit which is sup orted at itsopposit'e ends in the plates he. he frame 48 may consist of a pair ofmembers connected in spaced relation by e channel 50. The members carry at their innor ends a shaft 51 on whichthe sheaves 42, 42a, are loosely mounted and carry at their outer ends a load gripping or engaging mern-' ber 52, this member being pivoted by a cross rod 53 to the frame members, whereby it may accommodate itself to the upper surface of the load. The sheaves 42, 42a, may be held in spaced relation by a sleeve 51a; The frame members are preferably of sectional form, as shown at 48a, 486, so that the outer sections 48?), together with the gripping Mid member 52, may be swung to the posltion shown in dotted lines in Fig. l. The sections 48?: are connected or simultaneous movement when so operated by a channel 54, which also serves to brace the members together lid when the sections 48a, 485, are in normal 'or operative relation as shown in full lines in Fig. 1. The sections are connectedtogether by a pair of rods or pins 55, 56, one of which (preferably the letter) is removable and when removed the other pin moy serve es s fulcrum. for the sections 485 to swing on.

The rocker 48 is normally held in one position, that is, with its inner end down and its outer end up, so that the gri ping member 52 willbe free of the loo when and during the time that the truck is operated to project the supporting and carrying section 6 therebelow preparatory to lifting or elevating it; then the rocker is operate as will later appear, to-rnove the ipping member 52 into engagement wit the load to clamp it upon t c section 6. As already set its) llll) till)- end in the up position, as shown in of the rocker 48 is preferably normally maintained in the up position, above referred to, by the following instrumentalities: 57 indicates a rod supported in and extending through aligned openings 57a formed in the rocker frame members; 58 indicates a plurality of rods carrying hollow bosses 59 at one end and removably and loosely fitting the rod 57 and provided with collars 60 adjacent the bosses. The lower ends oil the rods 58 extend through and loosely fit openin 61 formed in the late 26, one opening being provided for each rod, and permitting the rod to slide as well as swing due to the movement of the rocker about its trunnions. The free ends of the rods are screw threaded to support nuts 62, which are adapted to engage the lower face of the plate 26 to limit the movement of the rocker 48 and 533+ ping member 52 in one direction. 63 1n icates coiled springs, one surrounding each rod 58, and interposed between the collars 60 and collars 6d surrounding the lower portions of the rods and abutting the late 26, which collars serve as abutments an seating devices for the opposite ends of the springs. The collars 64 may be provided with bosses fitting the openings 61 and the openings through the collars may be large enough to accommodate the rods 58. As will be understood, the springs 63 normally act to rock the rocker in one direction to maintain its outer Figs. 1 and 5, By preference, the sprin s 63 are strong enoug to maintain the rec er in its normal position even when theirame 5, without'a load thereon, is raised and lowered by the raising and lowering means, but when the weight of these elements is increased, as when the section 6 enga es a load to raise it, prepa'ratoryto elevating or lowering it, the tension of the sprin is overcome by the increased resistance to t e pull on the cables, and as a result thereof the rocker is actuated by the raising and lowering means. v this arrangement and construction, it will be seen that the enga 'ng and gripping member 52 may be move vertically with the elevating member 5 to any position for engaging a load and the gripping member will remain in its normal sition, so that the load can first be readily engaged and then clamped to the carrying section 6.

65 indicates as an entirety a limit switch mechanism for opening the circuit for the motor 38 when the elevating member 5 reaches the limit of its movement in either direction.

rename Of this mechanism, 66 indicates a casing preferably secured to one of the tie bars 12 and enclosing two switches through either of which the circuit is completed when the motor is driven in one direction, the movable elements of these switches being controlled by a device secured to a rock shaft 67 suitably supported in the walls of the casin 66. 68 is an arm connected to the rock sha 67 and pivotally connected to one end of a rod 68a.

The other end of the rod 68a is pivotally condinally thereof, being suitably guided by.

brackets in any well known manner. The rod 70, carries near its opposite ends adjustable collars 71, 71a, either of which is arranged to be engaged by an arm 7 2 secured to a cross plate 73 extending between the plates 5a. As will be understood from Figs. 1 and 2, the collars 71, 71a, are disposed in the path of movement of the arm 72, so that the latter will engage with one thereof when the elevating member 5 moves in either direction, and thus moves the rod which in turn operates therod 68a, arm 68 and rock shaft" 6? to open 'one of the switches in the casing 66 and efiecta stoppage of the motor 38. The take-up mechanism 43 is also, by preference, inter-connected with the rod 70 so that if the plate 45 moves downwardly to take up the slack in the cables 36, 36a, it will operate the rod 70 and stopthe motor 38 relatively quickly.

The limit switch mechanism forms the subject-matter of a separate application filedby me and the take-up mechanism and its inter-connection with the limit switch mechanism forms the .sub'ect-matter of an application filed by A. Hutzle Serial No. 722,125, (see Letters Patent llo. 1,690,681) for which reason no claim is made herein to either'ot said mechanisms.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the load gripping mechanism 34 is carried by the elevating member and as this member is bodily moved to an inclined position to efi'ect biasing of the load, this gripping mechanism is maintained in gripping relation with the load when the elevating in any sense limiting eespse \Vhat I claim is:

1. In a truck construction, the combination of a frame, supporting wheels therefor, a guide on said frame, a load carrying member mounted for sliding movement on said guide, mechanism arranged to engage and grip or to disengage and release a load on rnally extending load engaging member at one end of the truck, a load clamping member' associated therewith, and means to sup-.

port said members for movement on the guide, the clamping member being pivotally connected to the said means for vertical adjustment to clamp and release the load on the engaging member, and yielding means to normally hold the clamping member in a load disengaging position, the outer endportion of said clamping member being swingable upwardly and inwardl toward the truck, to shorten the efi'ective ength thereof.

3. In a truck construction, the combination of a frame, supporting wheels therefor, aguide on said frame, a member slidably mounted on said guide, aload carrier extending beyond said frame and pivotally connected to said member and arranged to be swung upwardly into an inoperative position, a rocker trunnioned on said member and extending beyond said frame above said carrier and arranged to engage and disengage a load thereon, and'raising and lower ing means connected to the inner end of said rocker and operating therethrough to raise and lower said member, the outer portion of said rocker being swingably mounted on the remaining portion and detachably connected thereto, whereby said outer portion may be released and swung to an inoperative position.

4. In a truck, substantially upright means on the truck, means mounted to traverse the upright means, a load engaging member over anging the front end of the truck and adapted to pass beneath the load to lift it, said member being pivoted to the second named means, a clamping member pivotally connected to the second named means and having a portion thereof disposed over the load engaging member and arranged to bear downwardly upon the load whenever the load is raised by means of the load engaging member, said load engaging member and clamping member being swingable about their pivot axes to respective positions close to the second named means, whereby the truck may be, in effect, shortened and therefore more easily manipulated when not carrying a load.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

EDWARD H. REMDE.

Sal 

